Molecular characterization of some multidrug resistant Candida Auris in egypt

Abstract

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that causes healthcare-associated and deep-seated infections. Notably, the emergence of this yeast is alarming as it exhibits resistance to azoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B, which may lead to clinical treatment failure in patients. This study aims to identify and characterize the genetic determinants of antifungal resistance in C. auris among some local clinical isolates to contribute for understanding the molecular epidemiology of C. auris in Egypt. Four test strains were identified based on the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region sequence and phylogenetic analysis. Antifungal susceptibility was determined using the VITEK 2 system. Molecular analysis of ERG11, ERG3, FKS1, and FKS2 was used to identify mutations associated with antifungal resistance. The four test strains were identified as C. auris. Evolutionary analysis was conducted, and sequences of ITS regions were submitted to GenBank. The mutations Y132F in ERG11 and F635Y in FKS2 were identified, which are known to confer resistance to azoles and echinocandins, respectively. The emergence of C. auris in Egypt represents a public health concern. Hospitals should implement strict infection control measures to prevent its spread. Effective treatment guidelines and ongoing monitoring of antifungal resistance are essential to combat this emerging pathogen.